Alistair Overeem has promised to knock out Brock Lesnar at UFC 141, insisting he will have no problems stuffing the former champion's takedowns.

Lesnar is bidding to return to the top of the heavyweight food chain after a year's absence due to major surgery. He previously lost his belt to Cain Velasquez.

His return bout comes against Strikeforce king Overeem, who boasts a world class kickboxing pedigree.

When it comes to the showdown on December 30, Lesnar will surely come looking to wrestle while Overeem will plan to put hands on chin. And in Overeem's view, there is only one winner.

"I don't underestimate this man. Winning the UFC belt from Randy Couture in his fourth pro MMA fight and defending it against Frank Mir and Shane Carwin was very impressive," Overeem wrote in his blog for Yahoo Sports.

"I am also impressed by Lesnar's fighting spirit; he has twice come back from a very serious illness and fought very tough opposition right away. He obviously has a lot of confidence in himself in fighting me after more than a year out and surgery on his stomach, and I admire that about him.

"But I am even more confident in myself. I will knock this guy out. He is great at takedowns and controlling people on the ground, but I can stop his takedowns and he is no match for me on the feet. I am going to rip Brock Lesnar apart, piece by piece."